Detective Alex Egan told the Palatka Daily News that police worked for five years to put together the case against Wilkinson. He said some witnesses were reluctant to respond to the investigation because of fear of retaliation.

According to prison records, Wilkinson's record includes a 1.5-year sentence for retaliation against a witness in 2009.

Police say they found Richardson's body after his mother asked them to check on him. Police haven't released a motive.